Culture

Among the objectives of WomenWorldCulture is the establishment of a global hub for cultural expression, commemoration, celebration, education, information, research, study and sharing among humans who are equal, honest, fair, just, observant, and caring of each other and our environment. Culture is defined here as patterns of complex symbolic behavior, which has to be learned through social interaction with others; such as the use of distinctive material and symbolic systems, including language, ritual, social organization, traditions, beliefs and technology.

HUMAN HISTORY

Humans are primates of the family Hominidae. We are distinguished from other primates by our bipedal locomotion, and our relatively larger brain which enables high levels of abstract reasoning, language, problem solving, and culture through social learning. Humans use tools more than any other animals, and are the only species known to build fires and cook our food.

We are uniquely adept at using systems of symbolic communication such as language and art for self-expression, the exchange of ideas, and organization. We create complex social structures composed of many cooperating and competing groups, from families and kinship networks to states. The human desire to understand and influence our environment, and to explain and manipulate phenomena has been the basis for the development of science, philosophy, mythology, and religion.

Humans originated in Africa, reaching anatomical modernity about 200,000 years ago and full behavioral modernity around 50,000 years ago. Humans began to practice sedentary agriculture about 12,000 years ago, domesticating plants and animals, which allowed for the growth of civilization. Humans subsequently established various forms of government, religion, and culture around the world, unifying people within regions and leading to the development of states and empires. Rapid advancements in science and medicine in the 19th and 20th centuries led to the development of fuel-driven technologies and improved health, causing the human population to rise exponentially. We are now widespread in every continent, except Antarctica. In 2012, human population was estimated to be around 7 billion.